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What happened?
While two workers were descending a tower ladder, a torque wrench, weighing 700g (1.5 lb), fell 10 meters (32 feet) from a tool bag being carried by one of the workers and struck the worker below on their hard hat.
The worker only sustained a minor bruising injury.
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Why did it happen?
The worker struck by the falling object was descending the same ladder section when the incident happened.
The second technician should not have begun ascending the ladder until the first person had finished.
The torque wrench was being carried in an unclosed bag. When ascending ladders, bags must be closed to avoid incidents.
The torque wrench was not being carried in the correct bag in the correct way (fastened to a harness or slung diagonally across the shoulder).
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What did they learn?
Only one person is authorised to climb a ladder section at any given time. The only exception is an emergency rescue scenario. The next person must wait until the climber has safely accessed the next platform before ascending or descending.
Minor loads must only be carried in an approved, closed tool transportation bag. The bag should be either fastened to the harness or hanging over the shoulder of the individual with a carrying strap placed diagonally across the body.
Do not tether tools that exceed 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) to a person. Larger items and any load heavier than 5 kg must be hoisted in closed lifting bags using the service crane.
Do not use tool lanyards/tethers in situations where machinery entanglement is a risk.
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Ask yourself or your crew
Are all tools properly secured during lifting and climbing activities?
Are workers aware if they are authorised to be working above and below other workers when performing tasks?
How often are securing or means of tethering equipment checked for wear and tear?
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What happened?
While two workers were descending a tower ladder, a torque wrench, weighing 700g (1.5 lb), fell 10 meters (32 feet) from a tool bag being carried by one of the workers and struck the worker below on their hard hat.
The worker only sustained a minor bruising injury.
Why did it happen?
The worker struck by the falling object was descending the same ladder section when the incident happened.
The second technician should not have begun ascending the ladder until the first person had finished.
The torque wrench was being carried in an unclosed bag. When ascending ladders, bags must be closed to avoid incidents.
The torque wrench was not being carried in the correct bag in the correct way (fastened to a harness or slung diagonally across the shoulder).
What did they learn?
Only one person is authorised to climb a ladder section at any given time. The only exception is an emergency rescue scenario. The next person must wait until the climber has safely accessed the next platform before ascending or descending.
Minor loads must only be carried in an approved, closed tool transportation bag. The bag should be either fastened to the harness or hanging over the shoulder of the individual with a carrying strap placed diagonally across the body.
Do not tether tools that exceed 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) to a person. Larger items and any load heavier than 5 kg must be hoisted in closed lifting bags using the service crane.
Do not use tool lanyards/tethers in situations where machinery entanglement is a risk.
Ask yourself or your crew
Are all tools properly secured during lifting and climbing activities?
Are workers aware if they are authorised to be working above and below other workers when performing tasks?
How often are securing or means of tethering equipment checked for wear and tear?
While two workers were descending a tower ladder, a torque wrench, weighing 700g (1.5 lb), fell 10 metres (32 feet) from a tool bag being carried by one of the workers and struck the worker below on their hard hat.
